Former Phulbani MLA Viral Video Case: Special Squad To Nab Accused

Phulbani: A day after a video showing BJD leader and former Phulbani MLA Debendra Kanhar sexually harassing a woman went viral on social media, Kandhamal police on Saturday formed a special squad to trace and nab the accused who is absconding.

“Two special police teams have been formed to nab the former legislator by conducting raids at different places in the district and outside,” informed Kandhamal SP Pratik Singh.

A case has also been registered against the woman who had made the video viral on social media. Steps are being taken to ensure that the woman gets justice at the earliest, the SP said.

The video surfaced on social media a few days after a woman from Phulbani in Kandhamal district lodged a complaint against Kanhar at Sadar police station, alleging that the former legislator and his associate, Rinku Sahoo barged into her house and misbehaved with her. Later, the duo thrashed the victim’s mother asking her why her daughter was refusing to have a relationship with him.

In her complaint, the victim further alleged that Kanhar had a relationship with multiple girls and keeps blackmailing them.